a song for coretta Cast
CATHY RAWLINGS
Cathy Rawlings is the mother of two fine young men, Alex and Chris Knowles, as well as the doting grandmother to Kaden, Acelynn and Aaron. She was employed with Verizon for 30 years. As an accomplished actress, Cathy has headlined in shows with the Actors Guild of Lexington (AGL), Studio Players, the Lexington Children's Theatre, the now defunct Phoenix Group Theatre, and the African American Theater. Cathy was honored by the AGL as the recipient of two Smitty awards; one for Best Actress in a Lead Role in The Old Settler, the other for her performance in The Vagina Monologues.
She was the unstoppable Ma in their production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. A high-stepping spirit coupled with a beautiful alto voice were her trademarks in their smash hit Crowns. With the Agape Theatre Troupe, she starred as Sophie in Agape’s first-ever production of Pearl Cleage’s Flyin West. In addition, she wrote and performed to sold-out crowds in ATT’s original productions of At the Crucifixion, Above My Head and Church, Roll On!
Cathy is a talented playwright, director, Artistic Associate with AGL, and has starred in the one hour, made-for-television movie Brotherly Love.
DEB SHOSS
Deb Shoss formerly served as Producing Director of Actors Guild of Lexington where she produced Roots and Heritage Festival plays annually. She has directed and/or produced over 100 plays including AGL’s The Old Settler, The Vagina Monologues, The Kathy and Mo show and The Good Times are Killing Me; she produced Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starring Cissy Williams and served as artistic consultant on Agape productions of Above My Head, Unchained Melodies and the first version of Sweatin’ da Bluez...da Muzikle. Deb directed Agape’s production of Gee’s Bend and co-directed The Duke, The Women, The Music, Voices of Freedom and the recent Sweatin’ da Bluez.
TODD PICKETT, Scenic and Lighting Designer
A native Lexingtonian, Todd earned a BA in Theatre from UK in 1988, followed by an MFA in technical theatre, costume, set and lighting design at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. His twenty-five years of
experience include over one hundred productions in professional, community and college theatres. Todd was Technical Director at Oakridge Community Playhouse when their production of FALSETTO LAND was named the nation's best community production by the American Association of Community Theatres. His collegiate faculty positions include the College of Charleston, University of Indiana SE and University of Louisiana Lafayette. While an assistant professor at IUS, Todd's direction, set and lighting designs for ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST was selected by the American Association of College Theatres for regional competition, and at ULL, Todd received AACT's best set and lighting design for the musical URINETOWN.. Since returning to Lexington, he has served as set/lighting designer for Paragon's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Agape Troupe's productions of GEE'S BEND and SWEATIN'DA BLUEZ at the Lexington Opera House, THE DUKE THE WOMEN THE MUSIC and VOICES OF FREEDOM at the Lyric Theatre a d UK Opera Theatre Studio's production of PIRATES OF PENZANCE. More than a dozen of Todd's designs have been staged at the historic Washington Opera House by The Maysville Players, the oldest continuously operating community theatre in Kentucky. Productions include ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, THE DIVINERS, DEATHTRAP, ALMOST MAINE, BOYS NEXT DOOR, ALADDIN, and for their fiftieth anniversary season, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, HOLIDAY MEMORIES AND NOISES OFF. Whether designing for the historic Dock Street Theatre in Charleston or the renowned Lyric in Lexington, Todd's passion is to design lighting effects that not only instill the mood of the production but also create a feast for the eyes.
Agape Theatre Troupe
Tiffiney Baker Kavanaugh
Tiffiney Kavanaugh is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During her three year stint in the Midwest, she performed such roles as Regan in King Lear, Mrs. Muller in Doubt and Rosalind in As You Like It. Prior to graduate school, Tiffiney performed in various theaters throughout the region - Aida in Roxy Regional Theatre’s production of Disney’s Aida and in Dream Girls at the La Comedia Dinner Theatre. Her past appearances on Lexington’s stages include stellar performances as Beneatha in Actors Guild of Lexington’s Raisin in the Sun and as an ensemble cast member in their sold-out production of Crowns. A Song for Coretta marks Tiffiney's third production with Agape Theater. Her two previous shows Duke, the Women, the Music and Sweatin' da Bluez da Musikal were so much fun she just had to come back for another round.
Carolyn Garner
Carolyn appeared in two editions of Agape’s Sweat’In Da Bluez—da Muzikle. She turned in a solid performance as Alice in their sold-out, highly-acclaimed show Gee’s Bend, and was Minnie Pearl at the Apollo for the Imani Family Life Center Theatre (now the Agape Theatre Troupe). Carolyn is the mother of four—Stephen, Brandon, Hope and Faith Garner—and the grandmother of eight. She attends Imani Baptist Church where she sings in the choir.
Eryn Dalley-Demby
Eryn, lovingly named “drama queen” by her family and friends, was born in Baltimore, MD. She has always had a passion for theater and performing arts. She was very active in her high school drama club and college’s theater. Eryn thanks God and her family, especially her parents Donna and Claude Demby and Juanita and Reginald Brigman for their constant support and advice. Eryn is also grateful to her grandparents, Juanita and George Dailey, for their love and support in this process. Eryn is delighted to have to opportunity to work with such a wonderful cast in this beautiful production.
Tammie Harris
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world." - Marilyn Monroe
Tammie Harris is the middle child to Bernic and Ruby Harris of Georgetown, KY and an avid shoe collector and self-professed diva among other things.
This is her first appearance in an Agape Theatre Troupe production,
and she has thoroughly enjoyed her experience thus far.
"You see, I've never really studied acting." - Diana Ross
Although this is Tammie's first foray into acting, she's found a love
for it that she attributes as much to the cast as she does the play itself.
Tammie thanks Deb Shoss and Cathy Rawlings for the opportunity to be surrounded by so many gifted actresses, her family and friends for their constant support, and God for EVERYTHING!!!
And in the words of another famous diva, Barbra Streisand: "You have got to discover you, what you do, and trust it."
So, here's to trusting in this new discovery...in no less than 5 inch heels.
